SOUL. Intuition, Instinct, Insight & Invitation.
To be human is to be intuitive. Or at least, it has been historically so to keep our species alive. Though, it may not be required so much in the 21st century. Wondering, “Will this plant kill me?” is not so much asked as, “When will my Uber Eats get here?”
While we may not require intuition as much for survival now vs. our ancestors, I would make an argument it still has an important place in our lives, and in our health. Intuition, instinct, insight all have something in coming aside from their Latin word origin: the requirement for going in.
In a convenience-centered, hyper-productive world where outsourcing is the norm, insourcing for own intuition may be important now more than ever. Data, devices and doctors all give us answers to questions like how much should eat, and what, and when? But if you haven’t noticed, studies can support different things at different times (Keto is the answer / Keto will kill you), personal wearable devices have a good pulse on physical health - but maybe not mental, and a doctor-mentor once told me, “50% of what I have been taught is false. I just don’t what 50%” (Fernando Vega, MD).
As the etymological definition above suggests, intuition requires a level of “spiritual perception.” To be in touch with our own intuition for guidance requires being in touch with self - a seemingly Herculean task for even the best-intentioned it seems in the current cultural landscape.
So while I don’t have a recipe to guide you on how to best get in touch with your own intuition (maybe you will, with intention), here are at least a few ideas. And while we are on the topic of all topics -in- (instinct, intuition, insight, intention, insourcing), consider the below INvitations INward:
Ideas to Reconnect With Intution:
Silent time daily. At least 5 minutes. No distractions (driving, phone usage, TV, etc). Your mind doesn’t have to be “blank” for you to do this right.
Note: often when I do this, a patient or person will come to mind. I hear from them shortly after, or reach out and usually some shift has happened for them. Amazing how predictable this pattern has come for me.
Write (“journal”). Or draw. About anything. See what comes out.
Reflect: when was the last time “you just knew” about something (or someone).
Pick a plant outside. Don’t eat it. Just smell it, observe it closely, and ask, what does this plant do? Take it home, identify it and see if it has a medicinal use. Note: know what poisonous (ivy, oak) or deadly (water hemlock) may inhabit your area before doing this.
Leave some time to get lost somewhere. And find your way back. Bring a map resource (ie, phone - still be smart/safe) for back-up.
Those pregnancy cravings - intuition in disguise? I think so, and ramped up by maternal instinct. I think they exist all the time for us all at baseline if we were listening a bit more closely. For us non-pregnant folk: open the fridge and inquire: what my body craving?
Learn to hunt? I’d like to learn this one some day … Foraging for wild plants/mushrooms is a similar activity. Human Nature Hunting is a cool resource in the PNW.
